Goodo,

Sydney is not a huge burden - just far more inefficient and messy than it needs to be. Some of this is due to olympics renovations but 95% of it has always been this way. Customs and baggage is not the issue, the main problem is the inefficient ways of getting from one terminal to the other. A train or moving walkway ala Dallas or Denver would be great.

The points made by ranles in the other post are all good.

As long as all is on time , you should easily make a 1:20 transfer. Basically the only hassle is that AN and QF run buses from international through to domestic - the problem is that while they advertise these run every ten minutes in reality they run when they fill up, or when the last pax from the connecting flight have filtered through. If pushed for time and money is not a huge issue $20-30 to a taxi driver will get you quickly from one terminal to the to other - best to negotiate first. If you get in and say intl terminal while by law they are obliged to take you on a metered fare you will not get very far! There is also an outside terminal bus that costs around $3 (and one that is free) which is supposed to be quicker but trying to find this is awkward at the best of times - esp. with baggage. Although you could check you bags at the AN transfer desk, asses the situation and go outside if that looks like a better bet.

Basically it all relies of class of tavel and status if you are star gold you have two ways of looking at it;

1. if you miss the connexion then you should get priority. AN will need reminding as sometimes they get forgetful. I missed a connexion at 10am and they told me the next available flight was not until 4pm! Reminded them the NZ gold elite is *gold and found myself on the 10:30am flight. Also they do not recognise star orange priority stickers so you will have to get them to put a blue on one - they will need reminding of this also.

If worse comes to worse with connexions ring the airline desk at syd airport of whom you flew in on and get them to talk with AN - this often works wonders

But AN are usually helpful and curteous so you should have no troubles.

2. The AN domestic lounge is well appointed so you may want a longer time to have a break, read the paper, have a snack or even a meal (if at meal time) or a free beer/wine if after 3pm.

If you are flying J, you will need to show your international j boarding card to get into the AN lounge as J doemstic does not give you entry.

Also there is no way that you will get USA sized carry-on onto an AN or QF flight so come prepared to check it through.

Hope this helps,

Mark